Naomi woke slowly and calmly for the first time in days.  The feel of a soft
mattress under her bed was a welcome relief after the uncomfortable cot
she'd had to sleep on in the Hatching cavern.  She lay quietly for a while,
savouring the silence and peace that had been missing from her life for so
long she'd forgotten what they were!


*Was I really that bad?*  Amethyst asked with sleepy contrition  *I know I
was a little bit over protective.....*


*Oh and how do you know that may I ask?*  Naomi laughed gently as she threw
back the covers and slipped her feet to the floor.  *Could it be that every
dragon within 40 miles of Norwall refused to come anywhere near you?*


She splashed her face with cold water, and shivered at the chill in the air
as she picked out a shimmering silver tunic to team with her riding pants.
As she dressed she wandered through her empty apartments... Sometimes she
wished she didn't live alone, wished there could be someone to welcome her
home each night.  She sighed heavily, maybe one day she'd be lucky enough to
find someone.  Being WarrenLady was a lonely job....


*Why so sad?*  Amethyst butted her gently as she entered the Queen's portion
of their joint home  *The hatching is over and I can spend more time with
you from now on.  Why should you need to have another human in our home?  Am
I not enough for you?*


Naomi tied up her long red hair before she answered, the familiar task
giving her time to formulate a reply for herself as well as the Queen.
*You're more than enough dragon, love.  It's just sometimes it would be nice
to hear a voice that comes from 'outside' my own head.  I sometimes forget
what my own voice sounds like.....*


She scratched Amethyst's neck ridge roughly, and heard the sigh of relief
echoing in her mind as she climbed onto the dragon's back.  *You're very
good company my love...especially when you aren't threatening to singe
everyone in sight.... but sometimes.....*


Amethyst turned her head to look at her rider, eyes whirling silver in
distress for Naomi's sadness.   *Can I do something to help?  Find you a
mate perhaps?*


*Amethyst!  Gossip, comedy and now matchmaking.  I swear you become more
human every day.*  Naomi's silvery laugh rang round the Warren as they took
off from the ledge outside their home.  *I'll find my own mate thank you!
You just concentrate on getting me down to my office, and then you can check
on your children.*


*I already have.*  Amethyst said primly  *They are doing well, and they are
beginning to train their humans.*


*The dragonets are training the humans eh?*  she said quietly  *Well I
suppose they are from their point of view.....*


*What other viewpoint is there?*  Amethyst's matter of fact tone effectively
ended that conversation.  As she landed outside the building containing
Naomi's office she said  *I am going hunting.  It will be good to catch my
meal again instead of relying on these useless males who cannot tell a juicy
buck from a scrawny rabbit.....*


Naomi slipped to the ground and moved away to allow her Queen to take off
again. *OK my love.  But don't stray too far from home.*  she waved as she
watched the dragon fly eastwards  *Good hunting!* she sent after her, and
then walked into her office to begin another long day of work.


<..>


Naomi was working on some papers when she felt her sister's mind reach out
to her.


(Naomi?) she reached for her sister (Can we have breakfast in your office 
and discuss some things)


<Of course Lacey>  she returned  <Whenever you're ready.  I've a few things
I'd like to discuss with you too.>


(I'm on my way.)  she heard faintly in reply.  


She busied herself making a pot of tea as she waited.......


<..>


The tap on the door was followed by her sister's entrance, and she smiled
to see Lacey so full of  youthful happiness.  She hugged her hard, trying to
make up for her neglect in favour of her Queen during the past weeks.


"I've really missed our breakfasts together Lacey."  she said as they
settled down comfortably side by side.  "So tell me what's been going on
with you while I've been otherwise occupied, and then we can get some work
done."


<..>


The tap on the door interrupted them in the middle of a discussion about
D'gerrit.  M'lent poked his head around the door, but when he saw that  she
was busy he started to withdraw again.


"It's alright M'lent."  Naomi called him back  "We're only talking Warren
business."


"Well....."  he said as he came into the room  "This is something that
concerns everyone......."


"That sounds ominous."  Naomi said, frowning as she waved M'lent to a seat.
"What's wrong?"


"It's one of the newly Joined dragonets." M'lent said seriously   "I didn't
want to say anything until I was sure, but I've been keeping an eye on him
since his hatching yesterday and I think there's cause for some concern."


"Oh no!"  Lacey exclaimed.  "What's wrong?"


"He's not as strong as he should be and he's very small, even for a male.
I've spoken T'grat and G'raint about him and they feel he will need special
watching for at least a few months."


"Which of the hatchlings is it?"  Naomi asked anxiously, as she tried to
remember if any of the dragonets had looked sickly the previous day


"It's Ryloth.  I brought his rider in myself, from Traveller's Rest... day
before the hatching."


"Have you spoken to him about it yet?  Does he know there's a problem?"
When M'lent shook his head, Naomi sighed  "Then please don't until I can be
with you.  I'll have to speak to Amethyst about this too.  Thanks for
bringing it to my notice M'lent. If you can just give me half an hour to
finish up with Lacey, I'll be at your disposal."


M'lent nodded and got up to open the door.  "It could be he just needs extra
feeding to get his strength up Naomi."  he caught Naomi's questioning look.
"Well it could be...." he muttered as he closed the door behind him.


"This is awful Naomi."  Lacey said after a short silence  "But M'lent could
be right you know."


"I know.  But he could be wrong too. But let's wait and see. "  she looked
at her sister  "Now, you said you had something you wanted to talk to me
about?....."


<NRPG  There ya go Kat!>


<..>


*Amethyst I need to talk to you about one of the dragonets.*  Naomi tried to
keep the worry from her tone.


*Ryloth?  He will be fine.*  Amethyst said totally unconcerned at Naomi's
surprise  *He will just need a few more months growing time before he can
take his proper place in the fighting wing.  I have finished my hunting...
if you don't need me yet I am going swimming.*


*Oh... right... yes of course.*  Naomi was so astonished, she couldn't think
of anything else to say.


<..>


M'lent was waiting for her when she arrived at the barracks.


"Is C'rrin inside?"  she asked   "I'd really like to talk to him before he
gets a hint from someone else."


"Yes.... he and Ryloth came back here straight after morning roll call."
M'lent opened the door, and guided Naomi into the dimly lit interior
"Ryloth seemed unhappy and stressed so we sent them back here to rest."


The pair stopped outside a partially open door, and Naomi tapped briskly on
the door frame.  C'rrin's face peeked round the door, and he ushered them in
quickly when he realised who his visitors were.


"WarrenLady. Mlent." 


He looked round for chairs but finding none he offered them the bed to sit
on.  They perched awkwardly, straining for a way to break the news gently.
Finally Naomi took the plunge.


"C'rrin, we have to tell you that Ryloth is different to the other
dragons......."


<NRPG  Steve... here's your chance to tell of the special help needed for
Ryloth.  :)>


<..>


"He took that a lot better than I thought he might."  M'lent told Naomi as
they walked out of the barracks and into brilliant sunshine.  "And he has
some good ideas about caring for  Ryloth."


"They always know who to pick for their life partner M'lent."  Naomi said
thoughtfully "Ryloth obviously knew that C'rrin would be the best person to
care for him." she shrugged as they started walking across the Green.  "Who
knows why one is chosen and another passed over at every hatching.  I
certainly don't."


She stopped suddenly,staring at the two figures laughing together under the
shade of the Warren's ancient oak tree.


"Am I seeing things or is that A'shair?"  she asked M'lent, confused.


"That's A'shair alright."  M'lent answered  "Of course you don't know having
been cooped up with Amethyst for days.  Lilliana found some kind of cream
that allows him to spend a little time outside in daylight.  He still has to
be careful of course...."


"That is good news!  Why didn't someone think to tell me of it?  Come on....
I want to tell him how pleased I am....."


With M'lent trailing behind her she started for the place where A'shair and
Meena were deep in conversation.


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
<and sundry other egos :)>

NRPG  Justin & Kris... tag!
-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin        T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage         Broken Lands      Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands
                          Caliban, Lute's human,  Dragon Lands
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

Come and visit me at  http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5902